New research links rise in spinal cord damage among Irish teens to nitrous oxide use
New research has identified a rise in spinal cord damage among Irish teenagers linked to recreational nitrous oxide use, raising concerns about neurological harm.
5th December 2025: left, Professor Seamus Looby, RCSI Honorary Lecturer, Consultant Radiologist, Beaumont Hospital, Dr. Sophie Sabherwal, NCHD, Beaumont Hospital and Dr. Elizabeth Costelloe, Consultant Neurologist, Beaumont Hospital. RCSI Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin. Pic: Ray Lohan/RCSI
Thursday, 22 January 2026: A new study has revealed that young people in Ireland are increasingly being diagnosed with spinal cord damage from recreational use of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas or whippets. The findings, published in the American Journal of Neuroradiology highlight the neurological risks posed by drug, often perceived by users as harmless.
Led by Professor Seamus Looby, Honorary Associate Professor at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and Consultant Neuroradiologist at Beaumont Hospital, the research team showed that cases of spinal cord damage caused by nitrous oxide have spiked significantly since the Covid-19 pandemic. No such cases were recorded at Beaumont Hospital between 2012 and 2020; however, 14 cases were diagnosed between 2021 and the end of 2024 with the median age of patients being just 20 years old. This clinical evidence supports warnings raised by youth workers and community organisations in recent years.
For verified healthcare professionals
Log in or register for free to read this article. HPN is for healthcare professionals, so new accounts are verified by our team.
